After 40 years, it’s remarkable
that there are still plenty of
new Vietnam War air combat
accounts to be told. Some of
the most dramatic dogfights
during that conflict involved
US Navy F-4s and North
Vietnamese MiGs during the
latter stages of the war.
This latest Combat Aircraft
title from Osprey focuses on
the Southeast Asia air war
from 1969 to 1973, when US
Navy carriers were home to
improved versions of the F-4
flown by recent graduates from
the navy’s newly established
TOPGUN dogfighting school.
This edition follows the familiar
format of the series. It begins
with an overview of the conflict
and explains how both sides
used the earlier bombing halts
to rebuild and re-equip their
forces. The author highlights
the classified evaluations at Groom
Lake when US Air Force and US
Navy pilots test flew Russian
MiGs to develop tactics against
similar aircraft then in service with
the North Vietnamese Air Force.But it’s the stories from the
Phantom crews themselves
that are the centrepiece. They
include a detailed analysis of
the supersonic MiG kill on May
10, 1972, by TOPGUN graduate
Lt Curt Dosé and his radar
intercept officer (RIO) Lt Cdr Jim
McDevitt. Some descriptions
of MiG engagements, such
as Randy Cunningham’s,
will be more familiar.
Importantly, the author doesn’t
gloss over problems the US
Navy F-4 pilots faced with the
poor reliability of the AIM-9
Sidewinder and restrictions
imposed by the White House.
Glenn Sandshttp://www.airforcesmonthly.com #365 AUGUST 2018 // 25
Book
Reviews
Reconnaissance
Planes Since
1945
Reconnaissance aircraft have
always played a vital role in
military operations, but the
use of manned spyplanes
arguably reached its zenith
during the Cold War – prior to
the ‘satellite era’. Specialised
aircraft were developed during
this period, while many civilian
platforms were modified for
the mission. For the most part,
their missions, equipment and
the intelligence they obtained
remain at least partly classified.
This handy reference work
brings the reader up-to-date
on the latest developments
within the secretive world
of intelligence-gathering
aircraft. The author begins
with a useful breakdown of
acronyms commonly associated
with aerial espionage – the
differences between ELINT,
COMINT and SIGINT are
explained. The origins of
spyplanes are also covered.
The intelligence-gathering
platforms are arranged
by operator, with aircraft
from the United States
unsurprisingly dominant.
Among the types listed, the
author has included some
retired examples such as
the Shackleton and SR-71.
This book doesn’t set out to
be the definitive reference on
reconnaissance aircraft but it’s
an ideal starting point for those
interested in learning more
about the topic. Glenn SandsPublisher: Pen & Sword Publishing
Author: Frank Schwede
Pages: 128
Price: £12.99
ISBN: 9781473891333Publisher: Osprey Publishing
Author: Peter E Davies
Pages: 96
Price: £13.99
ISBN: 9781472823601This is a welcome publication
on the Italian Air Force’s 36°
Stormo, which celebrated its
100th anniversary last year and
whose work is profiled on p58-62
of this magazine. This bilingual,
landscape hardback photo book
has been compiled with full
co-operation from Eurofighter
and the Aeronautica Militare and
brings together the daily flightoperations of two Eurofighter
F-2000 Typhoon squadrons –
X and XII Gruppo. The edition
also provides an overview of
the numerous departments that
support the two flying squadrons.
The wing, which is situated in
southern Italy, is routinely blessed
with good weather, which is
evident in the hundred or so pin-
sharp photographs. They alsoshow every detail of the Typhoon,
related military equipment and
kit worn by service personnel.
There are some stunning
images – in particular, one
on p134 showing five armed
Typhoons taxiing on Gioa’s
vast runway after a training
sortie. Detailed captions
describe the action and
equipment being used.
There’s a brief historical account
of 36° Stormo’s origins, combat
during World War Two, and
service in the Cold War, when
F-104s operated from the base.
This is a great book that
fills a long-standing void on
the Italian Air Force’s daily
Typhoon operations. It’s a
limited print run – so get it
while you can. Glenn SandsPublisher: Segni Se Parole
Authors: Giorgio Ciarini, Givanni
Mattioli and Renzo Sacchetti
Pages: 209
Price: £23.99
ISBN: 9788894284980These titles are available from: The Aviation Bookshop, 31-33 Vale Road, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent,
TN1 1BS, United Kingdom. Telephone: +44(0)1892 539284 Website: http://www.aviation-bookshop.comWelcome to the 36th Fighter
Wing – Gioia del Colle ItAB
US Navy F-4 Phantom II Units of
the Vietnam War 1969-73